More teams locked in for the Admiral's Cup
by Louay Habib / RORC 5 Feb 02:41 NZDT
17 July - 1 August 2025
Sean Langman's modified GP42 Back to Black - representing the CYCA and Australia © Paul Wyeth / pwpictures.com
The Royal Ocean Racing Club is delighted to announce that confirmed entries for the 2025 Admiral's Cup have increased to 13 teams, with more teams set to be announced in the coming months.
Preparing for the fierce competition ahead, recent team entries include the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA), the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM), the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) and a Baltic Sea team.
Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Representing the CYCA and Australia will be Zen, the well-known TP52 owned by Gordon Ketelbey, and Back 2 Black a modified GP42, formerly known as Khumbu, now owned by Sean Langman.
"The biggest driver for me to compete in the Admiral's Cup is respect," says Langman. "Australia has hosted many international teams and I respect those who have come to our waters, as well as those who have represented our country in this event. I also had great admiration for my late friend Sir James Hardy who we lost in 2023.
"I've loved racing and cruising Maluka in UK waters - she's waiting for me to finish this campaign so we can enjoy some Scottish cruising! So in a way I'm combining two passions.
"Our choice of boat came down to performance in tide and the Solent. I believe being at the higher end of rating will be beneficial. The GP42 has a strong foundation and with Nick Bonner's expertise, we're making key modifications to Back 2 Black. Having someone who knows the boat and the local conditions is crucial."
On the Admiral's Cup crew diversity rule (at least one woman, plus one under 27 sailor per boat) Langman says; "Nina Curtis was my pick, not because of the rule, but because of her talent. Twenty years ago, our IRC Open 60 had a 50/50 crew based on ability. Our youth sailor, Charlie McGuire, was chosen for his drive and willingness to learn."
"Australians love to win - it's part of our culture. Right now, our mindset is just 'phew, we have a team!' I hope this inspires more Australians to compete, not just in the Admiral's Cup, but maybe even the America's Cup again."
The CYCA team is the first Australian team to enter the 2025 Admiral's Cup. The holder of the Admiral's Cup is the Royal Prince Alfred YC, Australia.
Yacht Club de Monaco
For the first time in the history of the Admiral's Cup a team representing the Yacht Club de Monaco will be competing. YCM member Peter Harrison's Botin 52 Jolt 3 will be in the big boat IRC Class and a Carkeek 40, Jolt 6, formerly known as Rebellion, will be skippered by YCM Vice-President, Pierre Casiraghi.
Expected to be part of the crew for Jolt 3 will be Robbie Naismith, Cameron Dunn, Warwick Fleury, Juanpa Marcos, Carlo Huismann, and Shane Elliott, to name a few. Pierre Casiraghi is sailing with a crew including Boris Hermann, Will Harris, and Cole Brauer.
"When I first mentioned the idea to Bernard (d'Alessandri) and Pierre (Casiraghi), they were immediately motivated and enthusiastic," said Harrison. "The Yacht Club de Monaco is one of the best sailing clubs in the world; highly active, successful and very supportive.
"We expect tough competition but aren't anxious," he continued. "With 15+ teams, the Admiral's Cup will be an exciting challenge. The mix of windward/leeward and offshore racing, with just one discard inshore, demands consistency - there's little room for error. Racing in the Solent, with its tides will be a new challenge for some, so preparation is key. We have a lot of training planned.
"The Yacht Club de Monaco youth squad is performing at a high level and the Admiral's Cup will be important for them. The crew diversity rule is a great initiative—I strongly believe in supporting young sailors and women in the sport.
"The Admiral's Cup's return is fantastic for Cowes and the Isle of Wight, a place I love and where I have spent many years racing," concluded Harrison.
Pierre Casiraghi on offshore sailing and the 2025 Admiral's Cup
"I first got a taste of offshore racing in 2012 and I have raced multiple transatlantics and other races since then. The 2017 Fastnet was my first double-handed with Boris Herrmann on IMOCA Malizia," commented Casiraghi. "It was a tough but thrilling race and we finished third in our class. Offshore sailing is an endurance sport - it pushes you to your limits and the harder you work, the greater the reward. Some nights feel long, but I love the challenge, and that's what keeps me coming back.
"When Peter Harrison suggested entering the Yacht Club de Monaco for the Admiral's Cup, I immediately thought it was a fantastic challenge. Without hesitation, I knew we were going to do it. Building a high-performance team is something I enjoy. When a crew functions so well that no words are needed, everything just clicks - it's incredibly satisfying. But most importantly we race to have fun and when we enjoy ourselves good results tend to follow.
"The Admiral's Cup is a legendary event. Winning it would mean a great deal to the Yacht Club de Monaco, but competition will be fierce. We'll take it one day at a time, stay focused and give it everything we've got," concluded Casiraghi.
Yacht Club Costa Smeralda
Teams from Italy have raced for the Admiral’s Cup consecutively from 1969-1999. An Italian team won in 1995 and came very close in 1991 as runner-up to France by less than one point.
Giovanni Lombardi Stronati has confirmed the two boats that will be competing under the burgee of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. The team will undoubtedly have top international talent among the crew. The two-boat YCCS teams will consist of a brand new design, the Wally Rocket Django WR51 for the big boat and the JPK 1180 Django JPK for the smaller IRC Class.
Baltic Team Rán & Nola
Team Rán project manager Tim Powell, who last raced the Admiral's Cup in 1999, confirms that Niklas Zennström's Carkeek CF 520 Rán and Taavet Hinrikus' MAT 1220 Nola will join forces, forming a Baltic-rooted team. Zennström hails from Sweden, while Hinrikus is from Estonia, and the two have been friends for over 20 years.
"The Admiral's Cup is a fantastic regatta and Team Rán didn't want to miss out," said Powell. "The high level of competition made our decision easy, and we'll give it our best shot."
Powell also praised the event's crew diversity rule. "This is a great step forward," he said. "We've always included youth and women sailors on Rán and this rule ensures more opportunities at the grand prix level."
"Teams for the Admiral's Cup have already entered the inshore RORC Easter Challenge in April and a number of offshore races in the RORC Season's Points Championship," confirmed Admiral's Cup Race Director, Steve Cole. "For the Admiral's Cup, we have put together a strong race management team led by PRO Stuart Childerley, and they are tasked with delivering a fair, challenging series that tests the boats both inshore and offshore. The race team at RORC look forward to meeting all the teams when they arrive in Cowes."
For more information about the 2025 Admiral's Cup: admiralscup.rorc.org or see the Entry List.